Chapter 3 : The Things I Left Behind

Elara

The last suitcase refused to close.

I sat on it with both hands pressed against the lid while Caspian stood at the foot of the bed, watching me with an amused expression.

"You're enjoying this," I accused.

"A little."

"Then help me."

"I've been helping you for the past two hours."

"You carried three boxes."

"Four."

"Three and a half."

He laughed.

I pushed harder against the suitcase.

It finally clicked shut.

I lifted my hands triumphantly.

"Done."

Caspian shook his head.

"You're impossible."

"And yet you proposed to me."

"Best decision I've ever made."

I smiled.

He walked over and kissed my forehead before picking up the suitcase.

"Where does this one go?"

"By the door."

He carried it out.

I looked around the bedroom.

Almost everything was packed.

Clothes.

Shoes.

Books.

Things we'd collected together.

It felt strange knowing that in a few days, this place wouldn't be our home anymore.

Ravenmere was waiting.

A new job for Caspian.

A new beginning for both of us.

I should have been nervous.

Instead, I was mostly excited.

Then I remembered something.

"Wait."

Caspian stopped in the doorway.

"What?"

"I still have some things at Mum's."

He raised an eyebrow.

"How many things?"

I thought about it.

"Important things."

"That didn't answer my question."

I laughed.

"Some clothes. A few books. My old documents. Jewelry. Some things I didn't have space for when I moved in with you."

He nodded.

Then he asked,

"Your mother knows we're leaving, right?"

I looked at him.

"Of course she knows. If she doesn't, who will?"

He smiled.

"I'm just asking."

"I'm actually going there to collect some of my important stuff."

"Okay."

He placed the suitcase beside the others.

"I'll take care of a few things while you're gone."

I turned toward him.

"Things?"

He gave me a mysterious smile.

"What things?"

"You'll see."

"Caspian."

He laughed.

"It's nothing bad."

"That's exactly what someone says when they're planning something."

"I'm putting a few things in place for our new life."

My expression softened.

"For Ravenmere?"

He nodded.

"I want everything ready before we get there."

I walked toward him.

"You've already done enough."

"I know."

"Then why are you still doing more?"

He touched my cheek.

"Because I want you to walk into our new home and feel like you're supposed to be there."

My heart warmed.

I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"You make it very difficult not to love you."

"Good."

He kissed me.

Slowly.

Sweetly.

When we pulled apart, I smiled.

"I won't be long."

"I know."

He took my keys from the table and handed them to me.

"Drive carefully."

"Yes, sir."

"And call me when you get there."

"Yes, sir."

"And…"

I covered his mouth with my hand.

"Anything else?"

He kissed my palm.

"Come back to me."

I smiled.

"Always."

My mother's house looked exactly the same.

The same flower pots near the entrance.

The same curtains.

Even the little crack in the wall beside the front door was still there.

I parked outside and sat in the car for a moment.

Not because I was afraid to go in.

It simply felt strange coming back after spending so much time living with Caspian.

This house had been my home after my divorce.

It was where I had gone when everything in my life had fallen apart.

My mother hadn't asked too many questions.

She had simply opened the door.

And let me in.

Now I was returning for the things I'd left behind.

I grabbed my bag and walked inside.

"Mum?"

"Elara?"

Her voice came from the kitchen.

A moment later, she appeared with a dish towel in her hands.

Her face immediately brightened.

"My daughter!"

She hugged me tightly.

I laughed.

"Mum, I'm fine."

"Let me look at you."

She pulled back and examined my face.

"Have you eaten?"

I smiled.

"Yes."

"What did you eat?"

"Mum."

"I'm asking."

"Food."

She frowned.

"That's not an answer."

I laughed.

"I ate breakfast."

"What did Caspian give you?"

"Caspian didn't give me anything. I can feed myself."

She smiled.

"Good. At least you're still able to defend yourself."

I shook my head.

"You haven't changed."

"Why should I?"

She took my hand and led me into the living room.

"So, when are you leaving?"

"In a few days."

She nodded slowly.

"And everything is ready?"

"Almost."

"What about Caspian?"

"He's sorting out a few things."

She smiled.

"That young man seems determined."

"He is."

"That's good."

She sat beside me.

For a moment, we simply talked about ordinary things.

The move.

Caspian's promotion.

The new position.

How far Ravenmere was.

What I planned to do once we settled.

Then her expression became more serious.

"Elara."

I looked at her.

"Hmm?"

"I want to say something."

I already knew that tone.

"Okay."

She took my hand.

"I know you're happy with Caspian."

"I am."

"I can see it."

Her thumb moved gently across my fingers.

"And I'm happy that you're happy."

I smiled.

"But..."

There it was.

I waited.

"You've been married before."

My smile faded slightly.

"I know."

"I know you know."

She sighed.

"I'm not saying this because I don't trust Caspian."

"I know."

"I'm saying it because I don't want you to rush into another marriage simply because this relationship feels better than the last one."

I looked down at our joined hands.

"I understand."

"Take your time. Know the person you're choosing. Pay attention to the little things."

I nodded.

"And if something doesn't feel right, don't ignore it just because you love him."

Her words weren't harsh.

They weren't accusing.

They came from somewhere deeper.

Fear.

A mother's fear that her daughter might make another decision and have to live with the consequences.

"I won't, Mum."

She looked into my eyes.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

I didn't hesitate this time.

"Yes."

"Caspian?"

"Yes."

"You love him?"

I smiled.

"I do."

She studied my face for a few seconds.

Then she smiled.

"Good."

She squeezed my hand.

"That's all I wanted to hear."

I leaned against her shoulder.

"I know you're only worried because you love me."

"Of course."

She kissed the top of my head.

"But I'm happy you're happy."

Then she pulled away and pointed a finger at me.

"So the next time you come through this door, I want it to be because we're preparing for your wedding."

I burst out laughing.

"Mum!"

"What?"

"We haven't even moved yet."

"And?"

"You've already started planning the wedding."

"Someone has to."

"I haven't even picked a date."

"Then pick one."

I laughed again.

"You are impossible."

"I'm your mother."

"That's your excuse for everything."

"And it's a good one."

Before I could answer, a voice came from the hallway.

"Elara!"

I looked up.

My younger brother walked into the room.

He was only a little younger than me, but he carried himself like he'd been personally appointed the most important person in the house.

He stopped in front of me.

"You're leaving?"

"Apparently."

"And you're not taking me?"

I stared at him.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you're not coming."

He looked at Mum.

"See what I mean?"

Mum shrugged.

"Don't involve me."

He turned back to me.

"I want to come with you."

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"Because."

"That's not a reason."

"It is when I'm your older sister."

He folded his arms.

"I'm tired of staying here."

Mum looked at him.

"Tired of staying where?"

"Here."

"You've been here all your life."

"Exactly."

I laughed.

He pointed at me.

"Don't laugh. Mum has been giving me problems."

Mum gasped.

"Giving you problems?"

"Yes."

"What problems?"

He counted on his fingers.

"Cleaning. Washing dishes. Helping around the house."

I looked at him.

"Those are called responsibilities."

"Exactly. Terrible responsibilities."

I burst out laughing.

He looked offended.

"You're not helping."

"I wasn't trying to."

He turned toward Mum.

"See? This is why I need to go with her."

Mum shook her head.

"Elara is not taking you anywhere."

He looked at me.

"At least ask her."

"I don't need to ask. The answer is no."

"But.."

"No."

"Just for a few days."

"No."

"One day?"

"No."

"Half a day?"

I laughed.

"You're negotiating your way into a kidnapping."

"I'm serious."

"You'll survive."

He sighed dramatically and dropped onto the couch.

"I'm going to miss you."

I looked at him.

"Aww."

He immediately pointed at me.

"Don't make it emotional."

I laughed.

Mum shook her head.

"You two haven't changed."

My brother looked at me again.

"At least bring me something."

"Like what?"

"Anything."

"Fine."

"A souvenir."

"You're ridiculous."

"I know."

I stood.

"Come on. Help me get my things."

He jumped up immediately.

"So I'm useful now?"

"Don't push it."

He grinned.

My old room was still partly mine.

A few dresses hung inside the wardrobe.

My books were stacked in one corner.

There were boxes beneath the bed.

Things I hadn't touched in years.

My brother helped me carry them out.

"Why did you leave all this here?"

"I didn't think I'd need everything immediately."

He picked up an old box.

"What's inside?"

"Don't open it."

He immediately tried.

I slapped his hand away.

"I said don't."

He laughed.

"Fine."

We carried everything toward the front door.

Mum stood there waiting.

She hugged me again.

"Call me when you get there."

"I will."

"And don't forget what I told you."

"I won't."

She looked at me.

Then smiled.

"I'm proud of you."

My throat tightened.

"Thanks, Mum."

She hugged me tighter.

"Go and build your life."

I pulled back and smiled.

"I will."

My brother came outside behind me.

"Last chance."

I looked at him.

"No."

"You didn't even think about it."

"Because I know you."

He sighed.

"Fine."

I laughed.

Then I walked toward my car with the last box in my arms.

For the first time, leaving my mother's house didn't feel like running from anything.

I was simply moving forward.

I placed the box in the trunk and closed it.

My phone buzzed.

Caspian: Everything is almost ready. How long before my fiancée comes home?

I smiled at the message.

Me: Soon. Don't miss me too much.

His reply came almost immediately.

Caspian: Too late.

I shook my head, smiling.

Then I started the engine.

I had left a few important things behind.

Now I had collected them.

And soon, I would leave this town behind too.

This time, not alone.

This time, I was going toward the life I'd chosen.